Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities
Dozens of injuries were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Russia has continued a nearly 19-month-long invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Recently, though, the Ukrainians have gone on a counteroffensive, fighting to reclaim occupied territory.
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Pentagon announces new $400M aid to Ukraine
The U.S. Department of Defense announced an additional $400 million aid package to Ukrainian forces that includes more weapons and ammunition.
This marks the Biden administration's 43rd military aid package to Ukraine since August 2021.
Some of the equipment and weapons in this package include, additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS); Stinger anti-aircraft systems and Javelin and other anti-armor systems and rockets.
-ABC News' Matthew Seyler
Ukraine begins using controversial cluster munitions provided by US
Ukraine has begun using the controversial cluster munitions that the U.S. recently began providing to Ukraine, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.
Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. are not signatories to the convention that bans the use of cluster munitions. Russia has used them in the war in Ukraine and so has Ukraine as they a supply of the weapons left over from the Soviet era.
"I believe they have started using them," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Thursday. "In terms of the effect on the battlefield, I'd really let Ukraine speak to how they intend to employ them. But you know, this is a powerful artillery that we have given them. They have ... committed to use it responsibly, to keep track and record where they are using it, so when this war is over, they can begin those de-mining efforts."
The weapons are considered dangerous to civilians because the small bomblets that are dispersed by the munitions can remain unexploded until someone accidentally stumbles upon them weeks, months or even years later.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Russian strikes hit Mykolaiv and Odesa, multiple people injured
Russian forces hit a three-story building and a garage in the city center of Mykolaiv Thursday morning, local time, injuring nine people, including five children, the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration said on Telegram.
There were fatalities stemming from the strikes, but it's unclear how many at this time, the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration added.
In another incident, Russian strikes hit Odesa early Thursday morning, the Odesa District Administration said on Telegram.
Two people were injured and hospitalized from the attack, according to the Odesa District Administration.
There is destruction "in the center" of Odesa and a fire broke out stemming from the strikes, the administration said.
-ABC News' Natalia Kushniir and Yuriy Zaliznyak
US cluster munitions have arrived in Ukraine, official says
U.S. cluster munitions have arrived in Ukraine, according to Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims.
Sims said that in contrast to Russia, Ukraine is aware of the possible danger to civilians, and does not intend to use them near population centers.
"I don't think that Ukrainians have any interest in using the cluster munitions anywhere near the civilian population, unlike the Russians," Sims told reporters.
-ABC News' Matt Seyler
Biden to make 'memorable speech' focusing on NATO, Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden will make a "memorable speech" before world leaders in Lithuania's capital on the final day of a high-stakes NATO summit, according to National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat.
Biden's remarks on Wednesday afternoon will focus on similar themes to what he said during his speech in Poland in late February marking one year since Russia waged war on Ukraine.
"President Biden will talk about the strength of the NATO Alliance and how it remains a force for global security and stability, as it has for more than seven decades. He'll talk about how NATO is more vital to our shared future and that didn't happen by accident," Sloat told reporters during a press briefing in Vilnius on Wednesday morning.
"As the president has talked about before, Vladimir Putin thought he could break our resolve when he invaded Ukraine. But our NATO allies and our partners around the world responded by coming together to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom, their independence and their democracy," she added.
Beyond addressing the strength of the NATO alliance and the importance of standing by Ukraine, Biden will also look to pitch cooperation like we've seen for Ukraine to tackle other major challenges facing the world, "including the climate crisis, emerging technologies, upholding the international rules of the road and expanding opportunities so we build an economy where no one gets left behind," according to Sloat.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle